8/12/2019 1992 Issue 8 - Standing Firm: Words of Wisdom to Those Heading Off to College - Counsel of Chalcedon

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Dear Julie,

I woke early this morning, slippedinto myoId terry-cloth robe and sat onmy front porch steps with my steaming

cup and Bible. The flowers in mywindow-boxes were still nodding, noteven the mockingbirds were upcommanding the neighborhood yet. Itried to inhale this quietness into myhean. I will need it today. "Lord of themorning," I prayed, "here in Yourgarden, come and meet this day'sneedsbefore I do. Nest in my hean theweapons from your Word I will needto fight today's battles."

As I read a passage in Thessaloniansreminding me of God's faithfulness tous in the midst of an evil world, Istarted thinking about how difficult itis to "flee evil " today. We run into iteven in the institutions where weshould be "safe". Churches, homes,schools-there isno place to hide fromthe corro ption of sin.

You are going to college this week,purponedly an institution of "higherlearning. n I remember that day [or me:the panic and pain of leaving home(when I came back would it really bethe same?); the dry-mouthedanticipation of meeting new people(will they like me? If they do, will I bestrong for Christ or "cave in to getalong?); the heady hean-poundingexhilaration at the though t of being "on

my own a t last Pan of me wantedto fling my anns around my mother'sneck and beg her to take me back, letme always stay your little girl Theother pans, and the ones that won,said, "Your day has finally come "

What I didn 't realize then and wassoon to find out, was that that day, thefirst of many away from my parent'snurturing circle of love, encouragement' and protection, was thebeginning oftests God would put intomy \lfe to strengthen my faith, make it '"my own"possession, not ust the "faithof my fathers". The faith of my godlyfather and mother had nunured in mesince the day I was born heeded awork-out to make it stronger.Untested, resting faith is puny faith.

When I was your age, I was amountain climber. No, I didn' t haveall that fancy gear and dream of Everest,I just love the mountains. Bynecessity,i you want to see what's on the otherside (usually, more of what's on thisside ), you must climb. I realized withsurprise one day that I had developedpretty strong leg muscles. I loved themountains, the challenge of getting tothe top and beauty and surprise ofnature along the way. Strong legs, acalm spirit and a clear mind came tome unasked, almost unnoticed, butthey came as a natural result ofclimbing. Exercising your faith will,

according to God's economy ofthings,strengthen it.

So it is when your faith is tested. Asyou meet each sneering jab with aparry ofTruth, the sword of the spiritwielded even in weak hands, God willstrengthen the weak anus; thewaveringtongue will find the elixir of His words

powerful medicine for healinghesitation, and a fire, the flame of yourparents, Christian friends and pastorshave nunured and guarded these 18years, will catch in your heart and theblaze will attract all those needingwarmth and light.

Julie, there's no escaping it. Youknow too much to keep that truthhidden in your hean for long Collegesare so crowded with people possessed

with gteat regard for their ideas andbeliefs and great disdain for yours.Faced with so much sifting ofinformation through the sieve of God'srevealed Word, the Bible, how is itpossible to give a clear defense of ourfaith?

The answer is simple, not easy.Gary DeMarsays in is book , SurvivingCollege Successfully on page 10, " .. acogently presented, comprehensive,and consistent Christian worldviewcan stand up to any hostile beliefsystem . But it takes work to understandhow skeptics think, believe, andbehave . And your job is not finisheduntil you are always 'ready to make adefense to everyone who asks you togive a reason for the hope that is inyou.'" (I Peter 3: 15)

Never forget tha t colleges, especial lythe "Prestigious" ones, are peopledwith fools, calling themselves, wise.More illegitimate sons of truth arebandying about in truth's "clothing",spouting high-soundingnonsense thantruth in the classroom. Always protectyour mind with thehelmetof salvation.Satan's flaming missiles of falsehoodcan only bounce off and fizzle to ashesat your feetl In the twenty-something

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years that have passed since I was incollege, I have seen more young peoplefrom Christian homes whose faith wasweakened and minds were raped incollege than those who emerged witha stronger, more vital faith.

Shouldn't it work the other way?Yes, as have said n earlierparagraphs,the testing of our faith should cause usto go to God's Word for our defenseand thus emerge stronger for TheCause. But it doesn't just "happen".can t get to the top of the mountain bywishing I were there. Soon, unless Istan climbing, digging in with mytoes, stretching to reach the next ha nd-hold, 100 king carefully before I put myhand out to be sure I'm not shakinghands with a copperhead, I ll start to

feel content with where am, at thefoot of the mountain, looking up. Infact, may even get a little critical ofthose who are passing me as they beginthe climb-wrong shoes for climbing,stupid looking jeans, "unorthodox'methods. We do tha,t as Christians,criticizing others for "doing or sayingit wrong". Yes, there are "right" waysof defending your faith . Stay in God'sWord every day to find out what theyare and encourage and share those

biblical defenses with your Christianfriends. Read Gary DeMar's booklListen regularly and often toloe's tapedsermons, write and caII us so we canpray intelligently for you .

But climb, lulie Exercise the legsof your faith in defending it. Watchout for the copperheads on the ledgesand always keep the top of themountain in your mind. And don'tforget to look for the ladyslippers and

ginsing along the way-thase continilalsurprises God sends our way to assureus of His love

love you honey; you, Stephen,Anne, Nicole and all my young friendswho are experiencing theunrepea tableadventure of college life. I commit toholding you all up before the Lord

each day. Let me hear from you. Thethought ofyou in full bloom, becomingall God meant for you to be when firstHe thought of you, is precious tome.,Q

WCA, continued from page 24

To charges that these results areobtained by testing predominantlywhite, middle class students, Stoutreplies that "we could get these resultsif we had 80 percent minority."

He says that the structuredcumculum teaches the principles of agood work ethiC, beginning withstudents learning in kinderganen todo the ir homework.

By establishing a good work ethicearly, it makes it so much easier injunior high and high school," Stoutsaid. "We're not elitist at all and we

don 't cry to convey that air. You'll findus wearing shorts and carryinghammers, doing whatever it takes toget the job done, and that's the generalspirit of the faculty."

The school, which recentlycompleted a 22,000 square footgymnasium, does more than justemphasize athletiCS, for Stout helpeddevelop and was charter president ofthe Acadiana Soccer Association.

"Our school is grounded in theBible . In whatsoever ye do, do itheartil y unto the Lord and not untomen," he says, quoting from Paul'sletter to the Colossians. "It means weare going to seek in everything we doto honor Jesus Christ.

"We're going to teach our kids towork hard and to honor the Lord, tlotbecause it pleases men, but because ithonors and pleases God.",Q

APPALACHIAN CONFERENCET REBUILD AMERICA

IIReclaiming Our Christian HeritageSpeakers:Dr. John EidsmoeRev. Steve Wilkins

Friday PM: Home School WorkshopSaturday 9AM--4PM October 3 1992

Sheraton Plaza HotelJohnson City TN

35/ couple25/ individual

For more info phone: 615-928-1401 or 615-878-5560or write: ACTRA P.O. Box 1473 Bristol Tn 3762J J473

28 THE COUNSEL of Chalcedon September, 1992